SB385 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Lowell Barron
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2010
Title: Dental Examiners of Alabama, Board of, fees, quorum, Secs. 34-9-10, 34-9-16, 34-9-41, 34-9-42 am'd.
Summary: SB385 updates the Board of Dental Examiners' rules to adjust hygienist and mobile-dental fees, expand licensure paths (including credentials and cross-state 'special purpose' licenses), and revise board quorum and governance.
What This Bill Does
It sets and updates a broad schedule of fees for dental examinations, credentialing, regional exams, mobile-dental inspections, and hygiene programs. It expands licensure by credentials with detailed requirements (such as recent active practice, current license in good standing, verification, interviews, jurisprudence exam, and background checks) and allows for additional board-approved criteria. It creates a cross-state 'special purpose' license to practice across state lines under specific conditions, with a set term and renewal rules and reciprocity considerations. It also strengthens board governance, including quorum rules, annual meetings, officer roles, compensation, audits, and potential affiliation with the American Association of Dental Boards.

Who It Affects
Alabama-licensed dentists and dental hygienists: face new or updated credentialing paths, fee structures, and rules governing licensure, mobile practices, and specialty licensing.
Out-of-state dentists and dental hygienists: may apply for Alabama licensure by credentials or obtain a cross-state special purpose license to practice across state lines, subject to reciprocal and eligibility requirements.

Key Provisions
Establishes and updates a comprehensive fee schedule for dental examinations, credentialing, regional exams, mobile-dental inspections, annual registrations, reinstatements, and hygiene-related programs.
Licensure by credentials: requires five years (or 5,000 hours) of active practice, current and non-revoked license in good standing in another state with equivalent standards, board verification of good standing, no pending disciplinary actions, interview, jurisprudence exam, and DEA/state-board confirmations; includes requirement for affidavits, official transcripts, and board-approved education programs.
Board may require additional criteria for licensure by credentials (peer reviews, background checks, substance-abuse testing, continuing education, CPR certification, case reports, or impairment proof).
Special purpose license to practice across state lines: available to applicants with a full, unrestricted license in another state and no disciplinary actions; valid for three years and renewable for a fee, with automatic revocation if not renewed; the board determines which states have reciprocal requirements and may issue certificates of qualification.
Reciprocity and scope: the board seeks to facilitate reciprocal licensure with other states for residents of Alabama and vice versa, establishing conditions under which cross-state licenses may be granted and renewed.
Specialty licensure and practice: specialty licensing follows ADA-approved standards; practitioners must limit practice to announced specialties unless they also obtain general dentistry credentials; switching from specialty back to general dentistry may require passing the general dentistry examination.
Board governance and operations: sets quorum requirements (majority for business; at least five members for hearings), officers (president, vice-president, secretary-treasurer), annual meetings (including at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry), compensation, bonding, annual reporting and audits, and potential affiliation with the American Association of Dental Boards.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Dental Examiners of Alabama, Board of